The Nigeria Women Football League Annual General Assembly has approved Wednesday 15th November 2023 as the kick-off date for the 2023/2024 NWFL Premiership.
The premiership which has now been expanded to 16 teams from 14 to begin with the opening day fixture between champions, Delta Queens and one of the promoted sides, Ekiti Queens.
The Star Match is scheduled for the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ekiti State.
Speaking ahead of the draws, Ekiti Queens Secretary, Ayodele James, admits it will be a tough season but says they are prepared for the campaign.
“We are preparing we are getting all the players that played in the premiership for them we are screening them and with the support of the state government the team is really motivated,
“As I’m talking to you, they are on their way to Abuja for a preseason tournament and that is with the support of the government,” he said.
Meanwhile, Delta Queens, are confident that they will remain dominant in the new season and even better their showing on the continent after failing to qualify for the CAF Women’s Champions League last season.
The team CEO, Henrietta Ehiabor, expressed confidence in the Ms. Nkechi Obi-led board saying they are all working for the good of the women’s league.
“No doubt the club owners have, in their summit, to support the board in every way they can to give them that assistance so we can have a positive outcome this coming season and ongoing,
“For us (Delta Queens), we will be checking our mistakes and starting up from where we stopped. We are not giving up, we will go again.”
Others confirmed for promotion are Dannaz Ladies, Sunshine Queens, and Lakeside Queens (Remo Stars Ladies) while Ibom Angels and Osun Babes were relegated to the NWFL Championship.
Dannaz Ladies president, Danny Nazzal, says their target is reaching the Super Six as the club seeks to help his girls achieve their dream of reaching the Super Six.
“My expectation is to do well in the premier league, hopefully reach the Super Six, and plan towards winning the league the season after.”
“You can’t just allow these girls to dream and not help them achieve their dream, that’s the whole idea behind the club, so it’s to take it step by step we started from somewhere. The more success you achieve the more you want to dream bigger and want to achieve it,” she said.
League Expansion
The assembly also approved the expansion of the women’s Championship to 20 from 12 and the restructuring of the 10-team Nationwide League to the States League.
It also adopted a League format of 2 groups of A and B for the 2023/2024 NWFL Premiership season. Following the draw ceremony, the two groups are as follows:
Group A
Naija Ratels
Nasarawa Amazons
Confluence Queens
Abia Angels
Heartland Queens
Dannaz Ladies
Royal Queens
Adamawa Queens
Group B
Lakeside Queens
Rivers Angels
Delta Queens
Sunshine Queens
Robo Queens
Edo Queens
Ekiti Queens
Bayelsa Queens
WEEK ONE FIXTURES
Naija Ratels vs Nasarawa Amazons
Confluence Queens vs Dannaz Ladies
Abia Angels vs Adamawa Queens
Heartland Queens vs Royal Queens
Lakeside Queens vs Rivers Angels
Ekiti Queens vs Delta Queens
Sunshine Queens vs Bayelsa Queens
Edo Queens vs Robo Queens
The AGM also confirmed that the transfer window would conclude on January 10 and that the league will have a three-week break beginning on December 20 and returning on January 3, 2024.
Fund Raising Initiatives
Meanwhile, the chairman of the league board, Ms. Nkechi Obi, unveiled new campaigns including the Sisterhood and the He4She campaigns, as part of the Women Rising fundraising initiative, aimed at transforming the league to become a competitive and a tool for nation-building.
“Our goal is to ensure that the NWFL becomes a tool to drive nation-building, to reduce the number of out-of-school girls, to foster gender equality and inclusion, to promote learning and education, and to provide livelihood for women, using football as the platform for achieving these,” she said.
The fundraising initiatives Sisterhood and He4She campaigns were inaugurated by the NFF president represented by board member, Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi.
While the Sisterhood campaign is headed by banker, Hamda Ambah, the He4She is led by Yusuf Bako, a business development advisor.
